Addressing Wedding Invitations Envelopes

The Calligraphy Lady® offers calligraphy for envelopes. It is a beautiful, fast, affordable computer calligraphy service which offers personalization to your wedding envelopes. We address envelopes purchased from The Calligraphy Lady® wedding invitations online store as well as other vendors:



As part of the envelope addressing service, I answer questions for my clients regarding proper envelope etiquette.
Thus after 11 years in business, I have developed a wedding envelope etiquette guide to answer etiquette envelope questions.
Below are the most frequently asked envelope addressing questions, as well as how to format a guest list for the Calligraphy Lady®.

• All guest lists MUST be typed. Handwritten lists will not be accepted.


• Please do not use all caps. Number your addresses.


• Do not use initials or abbreviations (except for titles): spell out first and last names, street
  names, apartment, place, court, avenue, number and states. Do not use "&" instead of "and" (for example -- do not put Mr. & Mrs. Smith).


• Always include titles. For example: Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Dr., etc.


• Use only the five-digit zip code.


• Please obtain the correct title for clergy or military guests.


• Professional designations
  such as Esq., MD, PhD, etc. are not appropriate for wedding stationery. However, a title such as Dr. is appropriate. "Dr." may be used instead of "Doctor".


• "And Family", "And Guest" and children's names do not go on the outer envelope. These phrases and names appear on inner envelopes only in an envelope set. If you have only outer envelopes (no inner envelopes), then it is acceptable.
  
• "Sr.", "Jr." and "III" only appear on the outer envelope after the man's last name. However, these are not put on the inner envelope.


• Inner envelopes should include a title and last name only (except for invited children younger than 18 in which case only the first name is used). Less formal invitations allow for the use of first names such as Mom and Dad, or Anne and Sam on inner envelopes.


• Children older then 18 should receive their own invitation, even if they are still living at home.


• Use home addresses only.


• Lists should be typed using a standard font like Times and a 12 point font, in the following format. Put your name, contact info., marriage date and completion date needed at the top of the list. Also put any specific requests as well:

1.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Adams
2458 Southwest Pine Place
Pine Valley, Georgia
55555

Mr. and Mrs. Adams
Erika and Joel

2.
Mr. Robert Godwin, Sr.
12 Madison Avenue
Apartment 4G
New York, New York
55555

Mr. Godwin and Guest

NOTE: Envelopes will be addressed exactly as they appear on your guest list.

Single Guests
	Outer Envelope		Inner Envelope
Unmarried female	Miss or Ms. Rose Ritter		Miss or Ms. Ritter and Guest
Divorced female, kept married name	Mrs. Anna Beckley		Mrs. Beckley and Guest
Maiden name	Miss (or Ms.) Coco Chanel		Miss (or Ms.) Chanel and Guest
Widowed female	Mrs. Cindy Mitchell or Mrs. Gregory Mitchell		Mrs. Mitchell and Guest
Unmarried male	Mr. George Gershwin		Mr. Gershwin and Guest
Couples
	Outer Envelope		Inner Envelope
Married Couples	Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Robbins		Mr. and Mrs. Robbins or (less formal -- Sarah and Christopher)
Married Couple, woman kept maiden name	Ms. Alexanda Jones and Mr. Roy Anderson		Ms. Jones and Mr. Anderson
Unmarried couples who do not live together or live together. Send to the person you know best, if they do not live together.	Miss (or Ms.) Jennifer Clark Mr. Alfred Young		Miss (or Ms.) Clark Mr. Young
Two men or women over 18 who live together -- address either alphabetical by last name or to the closest friend first	Mr. Todd Vanderbilt Mr. Sam Patterson		Mr. Vanderbilt Mr. Patterson
Children
	Outer Envelope		Inner Envelope
Child under age 18	Do not include on outer envelope. If you do not have an inner envelope, then put "and family" on the second line of address		Caroline(listed under the parent's name) 2 or more children - list by age, oldest first - Timothy and Caroline Mr. and Mrs. Anderson Timothy and Caroline
Children over 18 should receive their own invitation	Miss Jessica Lynch or Mr. Matthew Frank		Miss Lynch (and Guest) Mr. Frank (and Guest)
Children over 18 should receive their own invitation. If they are two grown children of the same sex:	Misses Jessica and Nancy Cline or Messrs. Matthew and Anthony Cline		The Misses Cline (and Guest) or The Messrs. Cline (and Guest)
Miscellaneous
	Outer Envelope		Inner Envelope
Judge	The Honorable and Mrs. Gerald Rothchild		Judge and Mrs. Rothchild
Clergy	Reverend and Mrs. John Hall		Reverend and Mrs. Hall
Officer Man (active or retired)	Commander and Mrs. Charles Richards		Commander and Mrs. Richards
Woman who is an officer or has any title like "Dr."	Dr. Jessica Young and Mr. William Young		Dr. Young and Mr. Young

Italian Wedding Invitations and Roses!

~My fabulous international clients Francesca and Alastair from London England chose a bordeaux color for the delicate roses I created for their wedding invitations. Absolutely perfect for destination wedding of Roma, Italy! The roses graced the wedding invitations and program covers to create a beautiful wedding theme. Below is their response upon receiving their invitations from my Calligraphy Lady® studio:

"Dear Dayna, Well now we have had the chance to open up the package that arrived in the office this morning. What a magnificent job you have done on our wedding invitations! And you have clearly taken such care in packing and presenting everything you have prepared. We have been so looking forward to seeing everything that we have spent the whole evening preparing the invitations to send tomorrow morning! We are certain that our guests will be truly impressed to receive something so unique. All the elements really look special and we have been lucky to have your support and attention to detail throughout." ~Best regards, Francesca and Alastair

Please email Dayna calligraphylady@yahoo.com
or call Dayna at 314-401-3125 located in St. Louis, Missouri
to order your elegant wedding invitations from The Calligraphy Lady®

The above "Italian" wedding invitations are part of The Calligraphy Lady's handwritten invitation collection.

Lovebird Wedding Invitations, Vintage Wedding Invitations

Lovebird Wedding Invitations



Lovebird wedding invitations designed by The Calligraphy Lady® are currently featured on Grace Ormonde's real weddings site.

It was an honor and pleasure to work with Jenna as I created her handwritten and hand illustrated lovebird theme wedding invitation ensemble. The wedding invitations feature two lovebirds adorably building their love nest. I custom designed the birds to adorn the top of the wedding invitations as well as the back flap of the outer wedding invitation envelope. The lovebirds followed the wedding to the wedding reception as they were artfully printed on the wedding napkins.

One of the wedding invitations was distressed by Jenna's mother to give it a "vintage" look. She displayed it beautifully at their outdoor garden theme wedding at Barnsley Gardens Resort, Adairsville, Georgia. Below is a picture of the "distressed" lovebird wedding invitation. Also pictured are the gorgeous garden theme wedding decorations.



Photo Credit: Grace Ormonde real weddings site "A Small Get-Together: Jenna & Daniel Get Married | Grace Ormonde", http://www.graceormonde.com. Eric Delaforce Photography of Atlanta Georgia, http://www.ericseye.com.

Please visit my site which features more of my wedding invitations, unique and custom designed for clients. I would love the honor of creating your unique wedding invitations!

Different Save the Date Cards

Save the Date!


TO SEND OR NOT TO SEND - THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Save the date cards are very popular in today's event planning. They are sent in advance of a formal invitation and can either complement the invitation's style, the upcoming event or be completely unusual! They do offer certain advantages. For example, if a save the date comes back to you undelivered by the US Postal system, then this will alert you to the need for an address correction for your guest. This practice also helps you become organized early for your upcoming event -- no waiting to the last minute to get your address list compiled.

A lot of clients ask me if it is necessary to send out save the date cards. Save the date cards are a good idea if you are having a destination wedding and/or expecting a lot of out-of-town guests attending your wedding or event. Typically save the dates can be mailed out 6 months before the wedding. Use your own "timeframe" calendar as your judgement for when to send.

As for the style of the save the date invitation card, anything goes! You can pick something fun, whimsical and destination themed for your stationery. For example, I had a Florida client who wanted me to hand paint pink roses on her handwritten wedding invitations. For her save the dates we used light complimentary pink stationery with hot pink ink! The color of the stationery was so sweet -- the stationery color reminded me of a pink flamingo -- very Floridian!

Are you planning a destination wedding in Vegas or the beach? Consider a theme wedding invitation and turn it into a save the date card instead. You may choose something electric with a big Vegas sign on the card, or for the seaside wedding -- how about starfish, shells or palm trees to set the tone for the upcoming event?



Fun Vegas stationery can be used as save the date cards, announcements, wedding invitations or how about thank you cards?! Click on the image to order online now!


Or go very classic with your save the dates and match them to your wedding invitation ensemble, especially if your invitation/wedding is traditional theme. One of my wonderful clients decided to take this direction because she wished to carry a very elegant theme throughout their entire stationery wardrobe. She thought the save the date should set the same tone as her traditional wedding invitation which I wrote for her by hand -- for their elegant wedding in California at the Grand Tradition.

Custom Save the Date Cards, Handwritten Wedding Invitations and Stationery Ensemble by The Calligraphy Lady®.

Read more about our handwritten, elegant wedding invitations for your destination wedding.

Also purchase online our wedding save the dates, beautiful wedding invitations and modern wedding invitations from popular name brands at a discount price.

Plan on spending around $3.00 for each save the date. Calligraphy for envelopes for save the dates at $1.50 per envelope is a nice complement to the save the date card mailing or your wedding invitations.

In sum, save the date magnets, traditional save the date cards, colorful save the dates are all acceptable! Or use a wedding invitation and turn it into a save the date instead with your own clever wording and personalized design.

We are always available to discuss the many options with our clients. The possibilities are endlessly terrific!

If you are looking for an article on save the dates, please feel free to use this one. However, please give us credit as follows. Thanks!

Article written by Dayna Bischof, calligrapher and owner of The Calligraphy Lady® Studio, http://www.calligraphylady.com

Monique Lhuillier Wedding Invitations

The Monique Lhuillier Fine Paper Collection, a wedding stationery line that beautifully reflects Monique Lhuillier’s incredible talent for stationery design, is now offered by the Calligraphy Lady studio. These unique and elegant wedding invitation ensembles are inspired by Monique’s gorgeous wedding fashions.

The paper quality of Monique Lhuillier’s wedding invitations is outstanding, and the printing is of superb quality. For example, only the best papers made of cotton and vellum, rich ribbons, wax seals, elegant pocket fold enclosures are incorporated. And excellent quality control is implemented during the invitation printing methods offered: thermography, engraving and letterpress. Furthermore, each wedding invitation set features the printing method that best celebrates its paper texture and design features. With such precision in printing, cotton quality papers, beautiful adornments, distinct designs, the Monique Lhuillier Fine Paper Collection is truly crafted for the discerning bride. These elegant wedding invitations marry classic and modern elements. They only await personalization for the bride with discerning taste.

The Calligraphy Lady offers exquisite hand calligraphy and monograms which may be printed on the Lhuillier paper collection. The Calligraphy Lady’s work has been featured in Brides, CosmoBride, Martha Stewart Weddings, City Weddings, Better Home and Gardens Simply Creative Weddings, The Knot Boston and New Jersey Weddings, E! on tv, QUEST New York magazine and other wedding publications. Computer calligraphy services for envelope addressing are also available by the Calligraphy Lady studio.

If you are interested in ordering Monique Lhuillier fine wedding stationery from the Calligraphy Lady studio, please call Dayna Bischof at 314-401-3125 to schedule your private appointment.

Green, Recycled, Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations and Plantable

Recycled, Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations for your "Green" Wedding. Naturally Ever After™ Wedding Invitations are beautifully crafted and made of recycled paper!

Click on the image below to SHOP and ORDER your eco-friendly wedding invitations online. Many Beautiful Wedding Invitations for Your Choosing. Afforable. Quality made. Excellent Customer Service. Great turn-a-round time.



Seeded Hearts Personalized Card, Plantable Wedding Favors
Let your guests take home a chance to plant flowers to remember your special day. When these seeded hearts are planted, wildflowers will grow. Personalize a 3 5/8" x 3 5/8" card featuring a two-heart flower design and verse as shown. Please indicate your names and date to be printed above flower design. Ribbon sold separately.
Price: $64.90 for 50
Item Number: ZBK9477XXXP

Click image to ORDER:

Budget Invitations without compromising quality and elegance

Are you on a budget for your wedding invitations and reception favors? With our quality Carlson Craft® invitations and accessories you do not have to compromise your elegant taste. Click on the image above and explore the world of Carlson Craft® budget-minded invitations -- darling bridal shower invitations, magnet save the dates, contemporary and sophisticated wedding invitations; personalized wedding stationery such as thank you notes; ceremony accessories like programs, bows and isle runners; and reception items such as cake toppers, customized napkins, beautiful guest books, adorable mint holders, elegant place cards, exquisite champagne flutes, even affordable unique bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts!

SHOP today and receive 10% off your order at checkout.

Computer Calligraphy, St. Louis

Computer Calligraphy

Calligraphy created with Computer Addressing

Are your envelopes jamming or not feeding properly on your home printer? Allow us to address your envelopes in an exquisite computer calligraphy font to complement your wedding invitations. Affordable and elegant, computerized calligraphy gives your envelopes a personalized look and can be completed quickly -- great for rush services.

The Calligraphy Lady® offers fancy wedding fonts with flourishes and swirls. For example, our envelopes feature a computer scanned, hand lettered swirl created by The Calligraphy Lady! Your guests will think your envelopes have the look of being hand done. This option is unique and exclusive to The Calligraphy Lady®. Please email us, if there is a particular script or custom design you which would like for us to create for YOU!

For an envelope set (inner and outer envelopes) which does not include the return address, The Calligraphy Lady ® charges $1.75 a set for computer calligraphy in black ink. Outer envelopes only are $1.50 each in black ink. Return address printing (for outer envelope back flaps) is 50 cents each for computer calligraphy in black ink. Reply card envelopes printed for 50 cents each. There is a $30.00 flat fee for color ink.

For additional pricing information please email Dayna, dayna@calligraphylady.com, regarding our computer calligraphy services.

Letterpress on Light Ivory Stationery

Inspired to do a NEW Letterpress trend for 2009/2010 . . .

This winter we took our out-of-town guests from Virginia Beach to the MO Botanical Gardens. One of my favorite stops is the Linnean House -- it was full of camellias in bloom! I love camellia flowers -- my favorites are the peppermint stripes and light pinks. Beautiful, soft and the texture is so smooth and delicate.

Which lead me to my most recent idea - smooth stationery for letterpress. Often letterpress stationery is textured and thick. That's not to say it is not lovely. But why not try smooth, lighter color ivory paper -- something delicate, elegant, formal? So I did just that . . . letterpress samples on softer color ivory stationery that boasts a smooth finish. The result -- different, ELEGANT and WOW! I'm in love with the look and can hardly wait to create these letterpress calligraphy invitations for a new client. The black ink is consistent in the pressed lettering and the calligraphy letters hold their character and quality perfectly.


My calligraphy is pressed into smooth stationery for a twist on the age old beautiful art of letterpress. A traditional and fabulous new flair! It's new and it all began in The Calligraphy Lady® studio this month!

I love ivory stationery in both traditional cream and the new lighter color -- sometimes called wedding white. So I offer both ivory shades to clients.

Please visit my site at http://www.calligraphylady.com for more samples of my elegant wedding invitations handwritten in ornate calligraphy.

How to Assemble Wedding Invitations

Take one complete invitation set to the Post Office and have it weighed. It is very important that you have correct postage for your invitations, of course. Sites like http://www.zazzle.com sell custom postage stamps.

After addressing inner and outer envelopes, invite friends and family to help stuff your invitations.

Affix postage to your reply card envelopes. I suggest using small 42 cent stamps like the wedding heart stamp from the Post Office.

Place reception card (if you have one of these), followed by the reply card, then the reply card envelope. Put the flap of the reply card envelope over the reply card. If there is an accommodation/direction/travel card, put this card last after the reply card envelope. Place all of these small cards neatly in front of your wedding invitation. Here is a photo example of reply card/envelope, activity/travel card, invitation:



The wedding invitation and enclosure cards are placed printed side up and inserted into the inner envelope. We do this so wedding guests can read the invitation and enclosure cards as they are removed from the inner envelope.

Place the inner envelope inside the outer envelope. The front of the inner envelope is addressed with the guests names only (for example, Mr. and Mrs. Kim). The printed side of the inner envelope should face you. When guests open the outer envelope and pull out the inner envelope, they will see their names.




Lastly, seal carefully. Do not put a wet envelope on top of another envelope. Wait until each envelope seal dries.

Wax seals are lovely, but they do tend to break off in the mail and may also cause other issues with the Post Office. Attractive seals are a great alternative.